Turnips in Edinburgh
Brassica rapa subsp. rapa
A quick-growing hardy root crop for the UK veg patch. Sow direct into fine, stone-free soil and keep the bed evenly moist for a clean, sweet root and useful leaves.
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Turnip
Planting Calendar
Prepare the bed
1 Apr – 22 AprWork the soil to a fine tilth and remove stones, clods and any fresh manure before sowing. Aim for a deep, open bed so the roots swell evenly from 1st April to 22nd April.
Sow seed
1 Apr – 15 Julevery 3 weeksSow thinly in shallow drills at from 1st April to 15th July. Sow a small batch every 21 days for a steadier harvest rather than one large glut.
Protect from pests
1 Apr – 15 JulFit insect-proof mesh over the bed straight after sowing and keep the edges sealed. It helps stop cabbage root fly and flea beetle from damaging seedlings during 1st April - 15th July.
Thin seedlings
13 Jun – 20 JunThin seedlings to the final spacing once they are large enough to handle, usually about 13th June - 20th June. Lift the extras gently rather than tugging them, so you do not disturb the roots left behind.
Harvest roots
1 Aug – 5 NovLift roots from 1st August as soon as they reach usable size, then keep picking through 5th November. Leave a few in the ground only if the soil drains well, and cover the bed with fleece in hard weather.
Companion Plants
Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Turnip.
Good companions
Plants to avoid
Why companion planting matters
Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.
Suggested Varieties
Popular varieties of Turnip to consider
Oasis
A reliable white globe turnip with crisp flesh and a mild flavour.
Purple Top White Globe
A classic quick-maturing turnip with purple shoulders and white roots.
Snowball
A smooth white turnip that is best picked young for tender roots.
Related Plants
Explore similar plants you might like
Basil
Basil is a fragrant, tender herb whose leaves are a staple of summer cooking. Native to tropical regions, basil is treated as an annual in temperate climates like the UK because it cannot tolerate frost. It thrives in warm, sunny conditions and can be grown in garden beds or pots for a steady supply of fresh, flavourful leaves throughout the summer.
Calabrese
Calabrese (broccoli) produces a large central head of tightly-packed green buds, followed by smaller side-shoots after the main head is cut. It’s a cool-season brassica crop. Grow it in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and keep plants watered during dry spells. Harvest the heads while firm, then leave the stem in the ground to allow side-shoots to develop.
Chilli Pepper
Chilli peppers are tender perennials grown as annuals in the UK, requiring a long, warm season. They thrive in a greenhouse or a sunny, sheltered outdoor spot, producing fruits that range from mild to intensely hot depending on variety and growing conditions.